Hello again, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about some decisions I am making. Stained Glass has always been a passion and love which gradually developed from my love of drawing and painting. I have always adored churches and buildings with coloured light and the mix of natural scenes and seascapes captured me. In essence this led me to become a stained glass maker. It was at my Art degree at Roehampton, University of Surrey where I found two new skills I wished to pursue, printmaking and stained glass. Leaving Roehampton I was guided by my tutor Amal Ghosh to go for an interview at Central St Martins where I was accepted on a post graduate two year course in Architectural glass.
I worked very hard from there taking part in Art trails and completed a teaching course adding to my skills. The tutors at St Martins included Caroline Swash and Amal Ghosh whose standard of excellence helped us all achieve. This was 26 years ago.
My commissions in painted glass have been in the hundreds spanning different areas of England, Spain, Canada and France. I have packaged up stained glass for customers in Australia, Germany and Scotland. I am an artist in the traditional art of painting on glass which takes hours of patience and care. The testing of materials ie: oxides on glass, enamels and silver stain have become my expertise. I will happily teach right into my older years because I have all the practise and knowledge to help those who want to know.
Way forward
A big decision has gradually come to me that I need to make light of now. I will carry on making stained glass works for commission. I do not have the luxury to employ an apprentice unfortunately. I do however have an assistant Rachel who is a real sterling help and learning alongside me as we go. Teaching classes will continue at my studio in Trowbridge in stained glass and traditional painting techniques. I am always happy to discuss with students their ideas, possible projects to help them realise their dreams.
More time is being spent painting on paper too and although painting is all part of the design process for stained glass I would like to now spend more time advancing my skills doing more painting! I feel this more gentle way of expressing myself is exactly what I need on my new path. Having said in my recent blog that I would take part in the Peacock Arts this year I have to sadly say I will not be there exhibiting this year. I am taking a sabbatical which is absolutely essential part of this transitional period.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and well wishes. I know there are some of you who have had these life changes for personal reasons and will understand. My website will be changing over the next few months so look out for new pages coming.
Keep being creative and lots of love to you all,
Best wishes, Annie x
Leave a Reply